South Dakota State cross-country runner Meghan Ford placed third at her running debut for the Jacks at the Augustana Twilight race in early September. She setting a new personal record of 16 minutes and 47.9 seconds and boasted Summit League Women’s Cross-Country Performer of the Week honors.

“It had been two years since I felt fully competitive, but once I started racing, my instincts kicked in,” Ford said, regarding the Augustana Twilight race.

She has since competed in two more meets: the SDSU Classic (second place) and Wisconsin Pre Nationals (12th place).

Ford and her team will compete at the Summit League Championship meet in Vermillion on Saturday, Nov. 2.

Ford’s achievements are clear, but her long-term journey has been filled with obstacles.

At just 21 years old, Ford, from Jamestown, North Dakota, already has experienced a remarkable running career filled with highs and lows. She is currently a redshirt sophomore studying graphic design and German studies.

Ford’s story began long before college, rooted in a childhood passion for running.

She started running in third grade, and she joined the cross-country team in seventh grade, when the high school coach came to her after her brother, who had a good running career, graduated in 2015.

“That first year I was just having fun,” Ford said. “I ran my first 4k in 17:38.”

Her talent and hard work quickly became known as she ran a personal record of 19:42, over 5k, at the end of her seventh grade year.

Through high school her career was marked by success, including three consecutive state cross-country titles, three titles in the mile and two in the 3200 meters.

Ford also won the Nike Cross Regionals Heartland and in her senior year, placed 13th in the XC Town USA Meet of Champions and was named Gatorade Player of the Year three times for cross country.

The recruiting process was difficult for Ford because it was during the COVID-19 pandemic, making it hard for her to find the right fit. She ended up settling on Furman University in South Carolina.

Her time there was difficult because she faced obstacles she hadn’t faced in her high school career.

“In February 2022, during my freshman year, I suffered a stress fracture in my fourth metatarsal,” Ford said.

That injury was followed by another stress fracture in her left second metatarsal later that year.

Shortly after deciding to transfer schools, she experienced yet another stress fracture, this time in her right foot. The injuries continued into 2024, with a fracture in her left tibia in January.

“The thing I admire most about Meghan is her resilience,” said teammate Ashyln Hillyard.

Injuries weren’t the only obstacles Ford was facing. Throughout these difficult times, she struggled with identity issues and anxiety.

“At Furman, I didn’t feel like I belonged,” Ford said. “I had a lot of self-doubt and didn’t know where to turn when things got tough.”

Transferring to South Dakota State University brought a much-needed change.

Ford now, Ford has her sights set on qualifying for the NCAA Championships and helping her team win the conference title Saturday.

“She’s learned if she pushes herself too hard, she can run into challenges, so she’s had to learn to have patience to not overdo it,”Alex Muntefering, SDSU’s assistant coach for cross country, said. “Not training as hard has gotten her better than she ever has been. It’s all about balance.”

Although it’s just the start, as Ford still has two years of eligibility, her running journey has been a testament of resilience, determination and believing in yourself no matter what the odds are.

“Everything is hard, but you have to care enough to get through the tough time,” Ford said. “Bet on yourself, because no one else will do it for you.”